Winter Walk

When we awoke today we found it had snowed overnight, and laid on the ground. The whole street was white in virginal snow. I wanted to go today for a walk around Newmiller Dam. We walked around the long lake, and through the woods. Like the talking dog in Up we shouted "Squirrel!" and took this photo. These two Squirrels were digging up buried food.

Newmiller Dam is surrounded by dense woods. These trees are like giants towering over the dark waters of the Lake. Today the water was frozen in parts, and the trees decked out in snow which melted slowly onto us as we walked around. The Trees bark is visible during the winter months.

Newmiller Dam is famous for its wild water birds. These are some strange looking Ducks with black mohawks slicked back. They dive to the lake bottom to feed. We saw these at Pugneys, and now at Newmiller dam. They fly close to the water with their feet dangling. I wander if these are winter visitors?

The woods are being managed now by cutting down non native trees to clear more space within the densely packed woods. Native species should thrive in the new cleared areas. We saw a few Wrens flying amongst the undergrowth. The trees support more birds, different from the lakeside birds.

This Robin sat nearby in a tree and let me photograph him. The Robins were in evidence all over the Lakeside. They were singing away defending their territories. These are beautiful birds to look at, and they are so unafraid of people.
It was a lovely day for a winter walk. The roast chicken is in the oven now cooking. The cold and the walk has made us hungry..

Morning Worship

The Sun was risen when I walked to work yesterday past many trees, flowers, and weeds.

The Sunlight was dancing through the leaves illuminating them.It was quiet apart from the birds singing.There is a joy in the first hours of a new day.

Especially with the sunshine warming the sleepy plants up, and the wind teasing them with slight motion.

Most people were asleep at half six in the morning, only the early workers were moving about.I saw chattering magpies, who have found their voices recently.They had not been chatty before.

Juvenile blackbirds hop around looking for juicy worms, the original early birds.

Many other little brown birds hopped, flew from the alley into the tree's chattering, play fighting.

They ignore me untill I get too close walking. The blackbirds just move into the hedgerow.They dont fear me, they are like the Westgate pidgeons and starlings. They are semi domesticated, living on chips and kebabs left from the nights..

I love the walk to work.People cannot understand why I walk, and dont drive.I love the wind, rain, sunshine, fog, and the birds and wildflowers. The trees and the dappled light magically lighting up the new day.

Some people go to church for morning worship,I just need to walk through nature to feel relaxed and happy :)